8.18.2009

My sweet only daughter turns 25 today. She has been nothing but pure bliss in my life, except when she put me through 24 hours of labor, and then decided she would prefer a C-Section so that her head wouldn't come out shaped like a cone.

She was a beautiful baby and from birth full of energy and from an early age learned to read quickly and loved school. She is the only person I know that got tingly from the thought of new school supplies.

She always loved clothes and shoes and would hold still and not complain while I braided her hair into elaborate weaves and curled her hair in sponge rollers every Saturday night for church. She often reminded me of an adult in a child's body.

She started getting honor certificates, honor roll, principal awards early and often. School came easily for her and she was the type of child that I never had to remind to do her homework. All of this effort paid off when ASU gave her a full ride scholarship, where she majored in journalism.

She started blogging from a young age. Here she is instructing her Dad about where she wants her header to go.

She was never without a good supply of paper and markers. Here she is instructing Griffin and Chad how to properly hold a crayon.

She was Griffin's 2nd mother and has always had a wary eye on him. He didn't get away with much, not with Erica keeping me informed of his shenanigans.

She was on the cutting edge of fashion in hats...

Boots...

And frocks...

This might be one of my favorite pictures. It's not in a studio staged with a silly hand pose, it's just my Erica, happy, frolicking in a park feeding the ducks. Her little purple shorts a bit askew and still with a little baby chubb on her.

I'm so happy for you and Zach and the sweet life you are creating together. You will both make wonderful parents. You amaze me with your limitless talents and ablities. I love you sweet girl. No mother could be prouder than me.

Such a sweet and well deserved post from your mom. Love those pictures of you.... I smile every time I look at the ones we took of you and Ashley together during our visit in 1985ish... so smart, so sweet, so fun, so beautiful.... and such amazing adult women!

Tart House Design

Jon Hamm

Maru= feline perfection

Me

I love to laugh. Love to be with my family. I have 2 brilliant children, Erica & Griffin. I live with a handsome cop and a fat cat. My daughter Erica and I have a small design Co called Tart House Design.